The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz is a syndicated sports talk show hosted by Dan Le Batard and Jon "Stugotz" Weiner broadcast out of Miami. It was also carried on many ESPN Radio Network affiliates nationwide and simulcast nationally on various ESPN platforms until the show's departure from ESPN in January 2021.

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz
GenreSports talk
Running time~3 hours
Country of originUnited States
Language(s)English
Home stationWAXY (2004 – 2019)
WQAM (2019–2021)
ESPN Radio (2013–2021)
Independent
(2021–present)
TV adaptationsFusion TV (2015–2016)
ESPNU (2015–2018)
ESPNews (2018–2020)
ESPN+ (2020)
Twitch (2021-present)
StarringDan Le Batard
Jon "Stugotz" Weiner
AnnouncerGonzalo "Papi" Le Batard
Produced byMike Ryan Ruiz
Roy Bellamy
Billy "Guillermo" Gil
Chris "I'm Chris Cote BSPN" Cote
Anthony "Who The Hell Is Tony" Calatayud
Recording studioThe Clevelander Hotel Miami Beach, Florida
Original releaseSeptember 1, 2004 – present
Opening themeA mashup mix featuring the Blade theme, Brooklyn Bounce's "This is the Real Bass", and DMX's "Party Up (Up in Here)", featuring clips offering signature moments from the show's various personalities.
Ending themeGonzalo Le Batard saying, "We will talk to you mañana, this has been the Dan Le Batard Show on ESPN Radio" and Gregg Popovich saying "We live in a racist country."
WebsiteWorld of Suey
PodcastPodcast RSS
Podcast on ESPN Radio

The show features commentary on the day's sports news, perspective on other news stories, interviews with sports analysts and athletes, as well as a generous blend of pop culture and listener interaction. The hosts are known for their self-deprecating humor, which carries over through running jokes.

History

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz first aired on September 1, 2004, heard on AM 790 WAXY. After running for nine years on local radio, The Dan Le Batard Show debuted on ESPN Radio on September 30, 2013.[1]

In early 2015, it was announced that the show would be televised on Fusion starting May 19, 2015.[2] After the departure of Colin Cowherd from ESPN, the network moved the time slot of the show into the 10 AM to 1 PM slot formerly occupied by The Herd with Colin Cowherd, and moved the live simulcast to ESPNU, with the Fusion broadcast shifting to a tape delay from 1 to 4 PM. On May 18, 2016, Fusion aired the show for the last time as the year-long contract with ABC/Disney was expired and was not renewed.

The TV portion of the show then remained solely on ESPNU with the show airing live from 10 AM to 1 PM with no tape-delay. On January 10, 2017, the final hour of the show began simulcasting on ESPN2, but in July 2017, the show's final hour returned to airing on ESPNU. On April 2, 2018, the show's simulcast moved to ESPNews. The show was heard in the Miami area Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM ET on WAXY AM 790 "The Ticket" and nationally on ESPN Radio from 10 AM to 1 PM.

In July 2020, it was announced that The Dan Le Batard Show would be reduced from 3 hours on ESPN Radio, down to 2 hours starting August 17, 2020. On August 14, 2020, Le Batard and executive producer Mike Ryan announced via podcast that the new show format would consist of the LOUR (local hour), a Digital Hour called "The Big Suey",[3] the two nationally broadcast hours, and a “post game show” segment.[4][5] On December 3, 2020, ESPN announced that the radio show would be leaving ESPN entirely on January 4, 2021. Le Batard called the parting "mutually amicable".[6]

Cast

Le Batard and Stugotz interact throughout the show with executive producer Mike Ryan Ruiz and fellow producers Roy Bellamy, Billy "Guillermo" Gil, Chris “Fat Chris” Cote, and Anthony "Tony" Calatayud, collectively nicknamed "The Shipping Container Filled with Frightened Refugees". The show commonly refers to themselves as a "marching band to nowhere'' and a ''flying saucer of BS''. A Chelsea supporter, Ryan also co-hosts Chelsea's official American podcast, Chelsea Mike'd Up, with fellow South Floridian Chris Wittyngham of 5 Reasons.[7]

Currently, Le Batard and Stugotz are joined on-air by Greg "Scoops" Cote of the Miami Herald on Tuesdays, and additional ESPN personalities (including Sarah Spain, Domonique Foxworth, Mina Kimes, Katie Nolan, Bomani Jones, Marty Smith, Jorge Sedano, Izzy Gutierrez, Amin Elhassan, and others) make regular guest hosting appearances.

The show used to include show booker Allyson Turner, former executive producer Marc Hochman, and Charlie "Old Money Charlie" Hulme (who now works as part of the television production team alongside Lorenzo Rodriguez).

On November 8, 2020, Chris Cote announced on his personal Twitter account that he was part of ESPN's mass layoffs. 3 days later, Le Batard announced that Cote would be rehired back on the show as his assistant with a raise in salary, which Dan would be paying.[8]

Segments

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz features many recurring segments and bits that are popular to its fans including:

  • Stugotz's Weekend Observations
  • Funniest Thing from the Sports Weekend
  • Greg Cote's Back in My Day
  • Ron Magill from Zoo Miami
  • Magic Crate of Content
  • Celebrity Prognosticator
  • Roy's Realm
  • Looks Like
  • The Club
  • Dirty Demon of Debate and Cowardly Angel of Nuance
  • Stump the Meech
  • Pipo

Controversies

Tim Hardaway's homophobic comments

On February 14, 2007, the week of the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, former Miami Heat player Tim Hardaway appeared on the show. When asked if he would be accepting of a gay teammate, such as retired NBA center John Amaechi, Hardaway replied: "First of all, I wouldn't want him on my team."

Hardaway continued, "You know, I hate gay people, so I let it be known," Hardaway said. "I don't like gay people and I don't like to be around gay people. I am homophobic. I don't like it. It shouldn't be in the world or in the United States."

NBA commissioner David Stern, upon learning of the remarks Wednesday, banished Hardaway from All-Star weekend in Las Vegas.[9]

Following the comments, Hardaway apologized and attended counseling. He has also made public appearances supporting gay rights, including one in El Paso, Texas in response to an attempted recall.[10]

David Samson's criticism of Ichiro Suzuki's contract

On July 11, 2007, Florida Marlins team president David Samson was featured on the show as he often is. When told by Dan about the report of Seattle Mariners player Ichiro Suzuki signing a 5-year, $100 million contract, Samson was in a state of disbelief. He went on to say that no player in baseball was worthy of that amount and that this deal would return the league to the days of ridiculous contracts and ruin the sport.

The next day, Bob Ryan of The Boston Globe appeared on the show and began the segment by asking if Samson had entered baseball yesterday. He then criticized both Samson and the Florida Marlins franchise, while calling the deal as one that was inked by a well-managed franchise.[11][12]

Jay Bilas racial questions

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas was on the show on April 7, 2008 to discuss NBA draft prospects. When Le Batard asked if race was a factor in drafting, specifically if Michael Beasley would be drafted as highly if he had the same numbers but were white (the discussion originated with Tyler Hansbrough's low draft projection despite his numbers). Bilas responded "this is stupid," and proceeded to end the interview.[13]

Michael Phelps incident

Michael Phelps appeared on the show shortly after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. After not liking Le Batard's line of questioning, Phelps abruptly ended the interview however did not properly hang up the phone. Phelps could then be heard in the background calling Dan a "joke".[14]

Magic Johnson controversy

In February 2017, Magic Johnson was named as the president of basketball operations of the Los Angeles Lakers. Le Batard then questioned his qualifications and cited less than successful ventures into both NBA coaching, and NBA broadcasting as well as his television show The Magic Hour as evidence that giving Magic Johnson a position in which he apparently lacked experience was a questionable decision. Of particular note, Le Batard stated that Magic Johnson's main qualification for this job was his ability to be charming and charismatic as well as his fame. Le Batard made the following comment:

"What you've got here though, is a testament to the power of fame. And a testament to the power of a modicum of charm. Because Magic Johnson is charming. But, Magic Johnson was given a late night television show, because he's famous and charming. Failed in 11 shows. Magic Johnson was given a head coaching job of the Lakers, because he's famous and charming, failed in 16 games. Magic Johnson, not interesting as a broadcaster, given broadcasting opportunity after broadcasting opportunity, because he's famous and charming. And now, he gets to run the entire Lakers organization because he's famous and charming. That's amazing. That's amazing. He's a very kind man, to be in his presence is to be awash in all the things people like about celebrity, he will make you feel special, but he wasn't good at any of those jobs I just mentioned, and he got all of those jobs, bypassing a whole lot of people who are more qualified, because he's famous and charming."

Other ESPN commentators took offense to Le Batard's accusations that Johnson was unqualified and also suggested that race played a part in the former's accusations. Keyshawn Johnson, was asked by Jorge Sedano "If you are insinuating that Dan is, like, being prejudiced here..." and he responded "That's what I'm insinuating". Sedano defended Le Batard, saying "Well then you are 100% wrong."[15]

LZ Granderson also hinted that race played a role in Le Batard's comments, stating that the latter implied through his comments about Johnson's charisma that Johnson had gotten the job through "shucking and jiving". Michael Wilbon also criticized Le Batard's comments on Twitter, though Wilbon's criticism abstained from any discussion of race.[16]

Twitter beef with Michael Rapaport

Stemming from the Magic Johnson controversy, actor Michael Rapaport, took to Twitter to call out Le Batard for his comments on Johnson, insinuating a Twitter beef between him and the show's crew.[17] On February 24, 2017, Rapaport tweeted out, "Dan Lebatard askin why Magic is runnin the Lakers & the rest of the world is asking why his Father is on TV show everyday. Who's qualified!?"[18] Le Batard, responded to Rapaport by tweeting, "The idea of my father feuding with Michael Rapaport is delightful and why I got into journalism."[19]

The situation escalated over the weekend as executive producer, Mike Ryan, then jumped in to defend Le Batard where he buried Rapaport, pointing out the actor's many forgettable roles in his movies. After a lengthy back and forth, Rapaport still insisted on attacking Ryan, and eventually, another of the show's producers, Roy Bellamy, jumped into the discussion. The Twitter beef reached its climax with Rapaport posting a racist photo of Bellamy and resulting in Ryan and Bellamy finishing their war with Rapaport.[20] Following the weekend, Le Batard briefly discussed the events that had occurred over the weekend on his show, and proclaimed the end of Rapaport's guest appearances at ESPN. Le Batard stated, "These things are all about value. How much value do you have to the company? Not enough to be putting up racist stuff on Twitter. He doesn't work for the company. He's on The Jump every once in awhile. So I'm guessing this is gonna cause him a problem. He doesn't have enough value to the company, I don't think, to withstand something like this."[21]

On February 28, 2017, Rapaport released an edition of his podcast, I Am Rapaport, in which he fired back at the show once again, repeatedly insulting Le Batard and co-host Stugotz. Rapaport also threatened them with a defamation lawsuit for accusations that had been made about him having herpes stating, "You're claiming that I'm not going work at ESPN? Let me tell you something. If I'm going down, the whole s— is burning down. If I'm going down, we're talking about defamation."[22]

On the May 5, 2017 episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, hosted by Bill Simmons, a long time friend of Le Batard, Rapaport once again brought up the beef between him and the show. He repeatedly insulted Le Batard, Stugotz, and the show's producers saying they were only there to get his coffee. Simmons was uncomfortable for the entirety of Rapaport's rant against the show saying, "I still feel awkward because I like all those guys. I wish this would work out."[23]

Diamond Dallas Page incident

On April 4, 2017, professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page appeared on the show following his induction in the WWE Hall of Fame. The interview appeared to be going well, until a question regarding a non-kayfabe feud with Scott Steiner was asked, specifically, a question about eye-gouging. Page called Le Batard a "monkey" and went on a profanity-laced rant directed at Le Batard.[24]

References
  1. Matt Yoder (27 September 2013). "Dan Le Batard launches ESPN Radio show Monday". Awful Announcing. Bloguin. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. http://wearefusion.tumblr.com/post/111576430949/espns-dan-le-batard-to-bring-his-signature-voice
  3. https://traffic.megaphone.fm/ESP3658033589.mp3
  4. "New Podcast-Exclusive Daily Content from Dan LeBatard and Stugotz". ESPN Press Room U.S. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  5. "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz adding two daily podcast episodes to ESPN Radio program The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz adding two daily podcast episodes to ESPN Radio program". Awful Announcing. 2020-08-14. Retrieved 2020-08-17.
  6. Schwartz, Nick (December 3, 2020). "ESPN announces Dan Le Batard will leave the network in January 2021". USA Today.
  7. Chelsea Mike'd Up Podcast Chelsea Football Club
  8. "https://twitter.com/chriscoteespn/status/1325572116339691520". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-11-09. External link in |title= (help)
  9. "Retired NBA star Hardaway says he hates 'gay people'". ESPN.com. ESPN. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 12 July 2007.
  10. Zirin, David (22 August 2011). "Hardaway makes up for comments, stands up for gay rights". SI.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  11. 790 the Ticket David Samson's interview on July 11th Updated 2007-07-11, retrieved 2007-07-12
  12. 790 the Ticket Bob Ryan's response to Samson's remarks Updated 2007-07-12, retrieved 2007-07-12
  13. 790 the Ticket Jay Bilas talks NBA Draft with Le Batard 04/07/2008
  14. 790 the Ticket Dan Le Batard interviews Michael Phelps 09/25/2008
  15. "ESPN vs. ESPN: Keyshawn insinuates Le Batard's Magic jab racist". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  16. "Michael Wilbon goes after Dan Le Batard over Magic Johnson criticism". Larry Brown Sports. 2017-02-23. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
  17. Baumgard, Josh (2017-02-25). ""Actor" Michael Rapaport goes after Le Batard family on Twitter, gets eviscerated". Slice Miami. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  18. MichaelRapaport (2017-02-24). "Dan Lebatard askin why Magic is runnin the Lakers & the rest of the world is asking why his Father is on TV show everyday. Who's qualified!?". @MichaelRapaport. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  19. Show, Dan Le Batard (2017-02-24). "The idea of my father feuding with Michael Rapaport is delightful and why I got into journalism.https://twitter.com/michaelrapaport/status/835290722295300100 …". @LeBatardShow. Retrieved 2017-06-11. External link in |title= (help)
  20. Ryan, Mike (2017-02-25). ".@roybelly Don't waste anymore time with ignorant @MichaelRapaport. Take a hint from his ex-wife and leave his ass for a woman". @MichaelRyanRuiz. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  21. "The Michael Rapaport/Dan Le Batard Show Feud Has Gotten Very Personal". The Big Lead. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  22. "Dan Le Batard-Michael Rapaport ESPN media war 'for the ages' gets down, dirty". Sporting News. 2017-03-03. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  23. Baumgard, Josh (2017-05-06). "Cockroach Michael Rapaport attempts to reignite Le Batard beef on Bill Simmons Podcast". Slice Miami. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
  24. "Diamond Dallas Page Flips Out and Curses at Dan Le Batard During Live ESPN Interview". Complex. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
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